Plastic product with insert

ABSTRACT

A device for joining a plastic part to a second part with an insert adapted to thread into the plastic part. The insert includes a longitudinal body with outer threads, a hole in the longitudinal body with female threads, and an annular flange. Protrusions and recesses on the bottom of the annular flange alternate in a radial pattern. The insert is threaded into an opening in the plastic part. The protrusions and recesses of the insert interact with the plastic part to resist over rotation of the insert. The opening in the plastic part may include a hole and a counter bore portion. The counter bore includes protrusions and recesses. The protrusions and recesses alternate in a radial pattern. When the insert is threaded into the opening, the protrusions and recesses of the insert interact with the protrusions and recesses of the plastic part and resist over rotation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/182,950, filed on Jun.1, 2009, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a plastic part incorporating one ormore inserts allowing for the plastic part to be joined to some otherpart by conventional metal screws, bolts or other similar threadedmembers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is often desirable for plastic parts, such as blow molded plasticparts, to be attached to another part by conventional screws, bolts orsome other similar threaded member (collectively referred to herein as“threaded fasteners”). The plastic part may be attached to a part madeof metal, wood, or another material.

Because of the properties of the plastic part, and the diameter andthread size of conventional threaded fasteners, satisfactory threadedengagement directly with the plastic part may not be achievable. Thethreaded fastener may strip an opening formed directly in the plasticpart. Metal inserts are commonly used to remedy this problem. The insertis inserted into an opening created in the plastic part, and theconventional threaded fastener threads into a threaded female opening inthe insert.

While the conventional inserts may provide benefits over using noinserts at all, they still suffer from several disadvantages. One ofsuch disadvantages is that, during insertion if the insert into the holein the plastic part, it is relatively easy to over-rotate the insertwith respect to the plastic part, thereby stripping the female threadsin the opening in the plastic part. Consequently, the attachment of asecond part to the plastic part may not be satisfactory.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to remedy the problem ofover-rotation of the insert within the plastic part. The presentinvention modifies the insert to make it significantly more difficult toover-rotate the insert within the plastic part. The present inventionmay also modify the plastic part in a similar manner to further resistover-rotation of the insert. These modifications remedy theover-rotation problem commonly present with the conventional insert. Theinvention allows a blow molded plastic part to join to a second part.The second part can be made of wood, metal or another material.

The present invention uses an insert to join a first part to a secondpart. The insert has a longitudinal body, the outer surface of thelongitudinal body having male threads. An annular flange is provided onone end of the longitudinal body, and there is a threaded hole in thecenter of the longitudinal body. The annular flange has an innercircumference defined by where the longitudinal body and the annularflange meet. The annular flange also has an outer circumference.Protrusions and recesses alternate in a radial pattern around theannular flange. The protrusions and recesses extend axially inwardbetween the outer and inner circumferences of the annular flange. Theinsert is threaded into an opening in the first part, which is a blowmolded plastic part. The protrusions and recesses are on the side of theflange that faces the first part upon installation.

The second part is secured to the first part with a threaded fastener.The threaded fastener is secured to the threaded hole in the insert,thereby attaching the first part to the second part.

The annular flange on the insert has a larger diameter than theconventional insert. The larger diameter allows for greater resistanceto over-rotation of the insert within the plastic part. The threads onthe outside of the longitudinal body of the insert may be discontinuousand/or coarse.

The present invention may also include modifications to the opening inthe blow molded plastic part. The blow molded plastic part of thepresent invention has a hole and a counter bore hole. The hole in theplastic part may be threaded to receive the insert, or the hole may beun-threaded. The blow molded plastic part of the present inventionfurther includes protrusions and recesses on the counter bore hole. Theprotrusions and recesses alternate around the counter bore hole. Theprotrusions and recesses are in the opposite pattern of the protrusionsand recesses on the annular flange of the insert. When the insert isthreaded into the opening in the blow molded plastic part, the recessesand protrusions on the annular flange interlock with the recesses andprotrusions in the counter bore hole, resisting over-rotation of theinsert relative to the plastic part. The diameter of the counter borehole is large enough to fit the annular flange of the insert. Use of alarger diameter counter bore hole and a larger annular flange on theinsert results in greater resistance to over-rotation in comparison tothe conventional insert.

The plastic part with the modified opening attaches to a second partwith a threaded fastener. The threaded fastener threads into the hole inthe insert, thereby securing the second part to the plastic part.

The present invention also includes a method for attaching a first blowmolded part to a second part. The method includes providing an insert,where the insert has a longitudinal body with a centered threaded holeand male threads on the outside. An annular flange is on one end of thelongitudinal body, the annular flange has protrusions and recessesalternating around in a radial pattern.

The method further includes providing a blow molded plastic part with anopening. The opening has a threaded hole and a counter bore hole. Thecounter bore hole includes protrusions and recesses alternating in aradial pattern around the counter bore hole.

The method further includes inserting the insert into the threadedopening, and turning the insert until the protrusions and recesses onthe annular flange interlock with the protrusions and recesses on thecounter bore hole. Then attaching a second part to the blow molded partwith a threaded fastener, where the threaded fastener is threaded intothe threaded hole in the insert.

A second embodiment of the method for securing a first blow molded partto a second part is, manufacturing the insert with protrusions andrecesses as discussed above, manufacturing a plastic part with a femalethreaded opening, inserting the insert into the opening, turning theinsert until the protrusions and recesses on the annular flange interactwith the plastic part. Then attaching a second part to the blow moldedpart with a threaded fastener, where the threaded fastener is threadedinto the threaded hole in the insert.

As the inventive metal insert is rotated into the opening in theinventive plastic part and approaches full insertion, the radialspoke-like protrusions on the underside of the inventive metal insertinteract with the radial spoke-like protrusions in the recesssurrounding the opening of the inventive plastic part, therebyinhibiting the inventive metal insert from being over-rotated andthereby inhibiting stripping out of the opening in the inventive plasticpart. The larger diameter of the annular flange of the inventive metalinsert allows for the spoke-like protrusions of the annular flange andof the recess surrounding the opening of the inventive plastic part tobe larger (i.e., to extend out to a further degree), thereby furtherenhancing their interaction and further inhibiting over-rotation.

The invention and its particular features and advantages will becomemore apparent from the following detailed description considered withreference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 are isometric views of a conventional metal insert as isknown in the prior art.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a blow molded plastic part as known inthe prior art

FIG. 4 shows the prior art insert installed in the prior art plasticpart

FIGS. 5 and 6 are isometric views of the inventive metal insert.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the inventive plastic part in which theinventive metal insert of FIGS. 5 and 6 is installed.

FIG. 8 shows the inventive metal insert of FIGS. 5 and 6 installed inthe inventive plastic part of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention modifies a conventional insert to remedy a commonproblem of over-rotation within blow molded plastic parts. The insertsmake it possible to attach a blow molded plastic part to another partusing conventional threaded fasteners. But, when the insert isover-rotated, the threads in the blow molded plastic part are stripped,causing an unsatisfactory connection between the insert and the blowmolded part. This unsatisfactory connection between the insert and theblow molded part further causes an unsatisfactory connection between theblow molded part and a second part to be joined by conventionalfasteners.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a prior art insert. As can be seen, the insertincludes a longitudinal body 2 having relatively coarse threads 4 (whichmay be discontinuous threads as shown in the Figures) on the outerperiphery thereof. The body has an opening 6 passing therethrough, withfiner, female threads 8 therein which are sized and shaped to receive aconventional threaded fastener. At one end of the insert, an annularflange 10 protrudes outwardly in order to limit the degree to which theinsert may be inserted into an opening in a plastic part.

FIG. 3 shows a plastic part as known in the prior art 32 (in this case,a blow molded seat bottom) having an opening 34 made therein withrelatively coarse female threads 36. The opening and the threads aresized and shaped to receive the conventional metal insert. A generallysmooth recessed area 38 surrounds the opening which is sized and shapedto receive the annular flange of the conventional metal insert.

FIG. 4 shows the prior art insert fully installed in a plastic part. Thetop surface of the annular flange 42 is generally flush with a surfaceof the plastic part 44, or may be slightly recessed. A second part maynow be securely attached to the plastic part using a conventionalthreaded fastener. The conventional threaded fastener is threaded intothe inner female threads 8.

FIG. 5 shows the inventive metal insert. As can be seen, the insertincludes a longitudinal body 504 having relatively coarse threads 506(which may be discontinuous threads as shown in the Figures) on theouter periphery thereof. The body has an opening 508 passingtherethrough, with finer, female threads 510 therein which are sized andshaped to receive a conventional threaded fastener. At one end of theinsert, an annular flange 512 protrudes outwardly in order to limit thedegree to which the insert may be inserted into an opening in a plasticpart. There are protrusions 514 and recesses 516 on the annular flange.These protrusions and recesses interact with a plastic part when theinsert is installed into the plastic part. The interaction of theprotrusions and recesses with the plastic part resists over rotation ofthe insert within an opening in a plastic part.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the inventive metal insert of FIG. 5. As can beseen, the insert includes a longitudinal body 504 having relativelycoarse threads 506 (which may be discontinuous threads as shown in theFigures) on the outer periphery thereof. The body has an opening 508passing therethrough, with finer, female threads 510 therein which aresized and shaped to receive a conventional threaded fastener. At one endof the insert, an annular flange 512 protrudes outwardly in order tolimit the degree to which the insert may be inserted into an opening ina plastic part, the annular flange 512 having a diameter larger than,and preferably at least 30% larger than, a diameter of the threads 506.There are protrusions 514 and recesses 516 on the annular flange. Theseprotrusions and recesses interact with a plastic part when the insert isinstalled into the plastic part. The interaction of the protrusions andrecesses with the plastic part resists over rotation of the insertwithin an opening in a plastic part.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the plastic part with the inventiveopening that is modified to receive the inventive insert of FIGS. 5 and6. The plastic part 702 has an opening 704. Within the opening femalethreads may be added (not shown). There is a counter bore hole 706 thatsurrounds the opening 704, the counter bore hole 706 having a diameterlarger than, and preferably at least 30% larger than, a diameter of theopening 704. The bottom surface of the counter bore hole has protrusions708 and recesses 710. The protrusions and recesses alternate radiallyaround the bottom surface of the counter bore hole. The protrusions andrecesses in the counter bore hole of the plastic part interact with theprotrusions and recesses on the inventive insert disclosed in FIGS. 5and 6. The interaction of the protrusions and recesses on each partresist overrotaion of the inventive metal insert when the insert isinstalled into the plastic part.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the plastic part with an installed metalinsert. The top surface of the annular flange 802 is generally flushwith a surface of the plastic part 804, or may be slightly recessed. Asecond part may now be securely attached to the plastic part using aconventional threaded fastener. The conventional threaded fastener isthreaded into the inner female threads 806.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a particulararrangement of parts, features and the like, these are not intended toexhaust all possible arrangements or features, and indeed many othermodifications and variations will be ascertainable to those of skill inthe art.

What is claimed is:
 1. An interconnectable pair of an insert and a firstpart, the interconnectable pair being adapted to be joined to a secondpart, said interconnectable pair comprising: an insert with alongitudinal body, an outer surface of said longitudinal body includingmale threads; an annular flange on one end of said longitudinal body,wherein said annular flange has an inner and outer circumference, theinner circumference defined by an intersection between said longitudinalbody and said annular flange; a hole in a center of said longitudinalbody, said hole including female threads; protrusions and recesses onsaid annular flange, wherein said protrusions and recesses extend inwardalong an axial direction of the annular flange, between the innercircumference and the outer circumference of said annular flange;wherein said protrusions and recesses alternate in a radial patternaround the annular flange; and an opening in said first part, saidopening comprising a hole and a counter bore hole; said counter borehole including recesses and protrusions molded therein, said recessesand protrusions alternating in a radial pattern around the counter borehole and said recesses and protrusions molded in the counter bore holebeing present within the counter bore hole prior to insertion of theinsert into the opening.
 2. The interconnectable pair of claim 1wherein: said second part is secured to said first part with a threadedfastener, said fastener including male threads, said male threadsinteracting with said female threads.
 3. The interconnectable pair ofclaim 1 wherein the first part is a blow molded plastic part.
 4. Theinterconnectable pair a of claim 2 wherein the first part is a blowmolded plastic part.
 5. The interconnectable pair of claim 1 wherein:said annular flange on said insert has a first diameter, said outerthreads on said insert have a second diameter; and said first diameteris at least 30% larger than said second diameter.
 6. Theinterconnectable pair of claim 1 wherein the insert is made of metal. 7.The interconnectable pair of claim 1 wherein the male threads on theoutside of the longitudinal body of the insert are discontinuous andcoarse threads.
 8. An interconnectable pair of an insert and a firstpart, the assembly being adapted to be joined to a second part, saidassembly comprising: an insert with a longitudinal body, an outersurface of said longitudinal body including male threads; an annularflange on one end of said longitudinal body, wherein said annular flangehas an inner and outer circumference, the inner circumference defined byan intersection between said longitudinal body and said annular flange;a hole in a center of said longitudinal body, said hole including femalethreads; protrusions and recesses on said annular flange, wherein saidprotrusions and recesses extend inward along an axial direction of theannular flange, between the inner circumference and the outercircumference of said annular flange; wherein said protrusions andrecesses alternate in a radial pattern around the annular flange; anopening in said first part, said opening comprising a hole and a counterbore hole; said counter bore hole including recesses and protrusionsmolded therein, said recesses and protrusions alternating in a radialpattern around the counter bore hole; and wherein said insert isthreaded into said opening in said first part, wherein said recesses andprotrusions molded in the counter bore hole are present within thecounter bore hole prior to insertion of the insert into the opening,wherein said recesses and protrusions on said annular flange of saidinsert interlock with said recesses and protrusions molded in saidcounter bore hole in said opening, and wherein said interlock inhibitsthe insert from over-rotating in the opening.
 9. The interconnectablepair of claim 8 wherein: said second part is adapted to be secured tosaid first part with a threaded fastener, said fastener including malethreads, said fastener male threads interacting with said insert femalethreads.
 10. The interconnectable pair of claim 8 wherein: said annularflange on said insert has a first diameter, said outer threads on saidinsert have a second diameter; and said first diameter is at least 30%larger than said second diameter.
 11. The interconnectable pair of claim10 wherein: said counter bore hole in said opening in said plastic parthas a third diameter, and said hole in said opening in said plastic parthas a fourth diameter; and said third diameter is at least 30% largerthan said fourth diameter.
 12. The interconnectable pair of claim 8wherein the first part is a blow molded plastic part.
 13. Theinterconnectable pair of claim 9 wherein the first part is a blow moldedplastic part.
 14. The interconnectable pair of claim 8 wherein theinsert is made of metal.
 15. The interconnectable pair of claim 8wherein the male threads on the outside of the longitudinal body of theinsert are discontinuous and coarse threads.
 16. The interconnectablepair of claim 8 wherein said hole in said opening in said first part isthreaded.